Despite being the youngest automaker in the nation, Tesla Motors Inc. ranks in the top five brands among people surveyed by “Consumer Reports.”

Tesla was fifth in the poll, a large gain from 11th last year. It ranked behind Toyota, Ford and Honda, as well as General Motors’ Chevrolet. The results are from a December survey of 1,578 vehicle owners who were asked to rank brand attributes including quality, safety, value, design and technology.

“Over the last six months or so there has been a lot of visibility for that brand,” said Tom Libby, an auto analyst for Polk in Southfield, Mich. Tesla’s rise in the rankings “can’t hurt as that is a highly respected publication that has no need to respond to any constituency.”

The magazine also rates Tesla’s Model S among the best cars it has ever tested.